Gay Dall, of Tinley Park, walks her dogs, Maddi, left, Lambie and Shaggy in a park near the corner of Hickory and North Streets in Tinley Park, Ill. The beginning of what is predicted to be a history-making winter blizzard was just starting to fall when Dall went out to walk her dogs.

Gay Dall, of Tinley Park, walks her dogs, Maddi, left, Lambie and Shaggy in a park near the corner of Hickory and North Streets in Tinley Park, Ill. The beginning of what is predicted to be a history-making winter blizzard was just starting to fall when Dall went out to walk her dogs. (David Pierini, Chicago Tribune)

A group of kids have some fun as Danny McGavock, lying down, pretends as if he is knocked out by the big snow storm in Chicago. The teens were waiting for a Metra train at the Ravenswood stop.

A group of kids have some fun as Danny McGavock, lying down, pretends as if he is knocked out by the big snow storm in Chicago. The teens were waiting for a Metra train at the Ravenswood stop. (Chris Sweda, Chicago Tribune)

More than 20 inches of snow fell in some parts of the Chicago area, starting Feb. 1, 2011. Power outages, school and business closings, motorists stranded on roadways, and public transit disruptions complicated life in the city and suburbs.